2nd Impressions: Kubota B2910 vs. JD 4200

[Hook]

If you've been following my "saga" recently, you know that I have now narrowed down my choices of tractors to the Kubota B2910 & the JD 4200. Well, today I went & rode them both again & climbed in & out of the seat a bunch of times. I am clearly zeroing in on a decision. Here's how I see the 2 competitors stacking up for me ... you might be surprised as you read ...

PRICE

The quoted prices I received from the dealers have the Kubota costing $800 less (with the same implements). In addition, the Kubota dealer has made it clear that he can drop the price a little more. The JD dealer told me today that he had already given me their rock-bottom price.

So I'm assuming that I can squeeze another $500 out of the Kubota dealer, making the JD $1,300 more than the Kubota. Now, I'm all for saving $13,00 whenever I can, but given the size of this purchase, this is not enough money to make the difference. Nonetheless, the Kubota gets the win in this category.

Winner: Kubota B2910

POWER

The Kubota has more gross horsepower than the JD (30 vs 26.3), but the PTO horsepower is virtually identical (22 vs. 21.5). On the other hand, the JD has more hydraulic power. But, since much of my work will be mowing & moving snow, I give the nod to the Kubota B2910.

Winner: Kubota B2910

DEALERS

Both of the dealers are very nice & the people there were very helpful. The Kubota dealer is about 7 miles from where we'll be living & the JD dealer is about 27 miles away. The Kubota dealer has an enormous, professional-looking service department. The JD dealer has an average-looking service department. Furthermore, the Kubota dealer said that they like to do repeairs at the customer's location whenever possible. The JD dealer likes to bring the tractor to the shop whenever possible.

Winner: Kubota B2910

Winner: JD 4200

[Now things get interesting ...]

ERGONOMICS

The primary reason I wanted to drive both tractors was to double check the ergonomics & the ride. After today it is cloear to me that the JD is much better fit for my body type. I felt as if I had lots more room, especially for my feet (due to the platform design). While I don't care for the placement of the JD gear range selector, the pedals are in a much better place, as far as I'm concerned. The Kubota felt cramped after I had driven the JD.

Winner: JD 4200

RIDE

I really felt that there was no contest here. The ride of the JD was FAR superior to the Kubota. It just felt much smoother & soild & was much less noisy. This may seem like a minor issue, but I actually climbed off of the Kubota thinking that it felt kind of tinny & unsubstantial.

BOTTOM LINE

Right now I have to admit that I'm leaning strongly to the JD 4200, despite the price, power & dealer differences. I feel like I would have a hard time ignoring he better ergnonomics (for me) & the superior ride & substantial feel of the JD.

Comments?

Hook

 

[mlmartin]

Unless you are planning to change your body type/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif the ergonomics have to be pretty important. I would suggest that comfort, usability and satisfaction with the construction will be remembered long after the price difference is forgotten.

As you said, the HP difference isn't significant. The hydraulic power advantage, assuming it _is_ significant, would make the JD more flexible should you decide that you have to do some serious FEL, backhoe or other hydraulic intensive work.

The dealer situation sounds equal in terms of the human relations, but the service provided isn't. Having warranty work done at your location will be more convenient for you and perhaps less expensive. I have an eight year old JD 870 and a tractor service station less than a mile from my house. I can walk there for minor parts, if I need to.

I suspect that my comments won't help you out very much, but there they are.

Matthew

 

[Hook]

Poster: mlmartin
Subject: Re: 2nd Impressions: Kubota B2910 vs. JD 4200

> Unless you are planning to change your body type

Well, I am trying to lose weight

> the ergonomics have to be pretty important. I would
> suggest that comfort, usability and satisfaction with the
> construction will be remembered long after the price
> difference is forgotten.

Agreed.

> As you said, the HP difference isn't significant. The
> hydraulic power advantage, assuming it _is_ significant,

The difference IS significant (12 vs 9, approximately).

> would make the JD more flexible should you decide that
> you have to do some serious FEL, backhoe or other
> hydraulic intensive work.

> The dealer situation sounds equal in terms of the human
> relations, but the service provided isn't. Having warranty
> work done at your location will be more convenient for you
> and perhaps less expensive. I have an eight year old JD
. 870 and a tractor service station less than a mile from my
> house. I can walk there for minor parts, if I need to.

Yes, this is the one issue that is holding me back from committing to the JD right now. I just don't know how much weight to give this issue.

> I suspect that my comments won't help you out very
> much, but there they are.

They were helpful, as they made me realize that the dealer service issue is the one item I have to resolve to make my choice.

> Matthew

Hook

 

[bgott]

Doing warranty work in the field sounds great but is, exept in rare occations, impractical. Unless you break an obvious part, how is the serviceperson going to know what parts to bring without looking at it? I'd ask the dealers about their loaner policy. I've done field work and it's a PITA. There has been a time or two that I spent more time fixing my screwups once I hauled it back to the shop than the original repair required due to adverse working conditions.

 

[Hook]

Poster: bgott
Subject: Re: 2nd Impressions: Kubota B2910 vs. JD 4200

> Doing warranty work in the field sounds great but is,
> except in rare occations, impractical. Unless you break an
> obvious part, how is the serviceperson going to know
> what parts to bring without looking at it? I'd ask the
> dealers about their loaner policy. I've done field work
> and it's a PITA. There has been a time or two that I
> spent more time fixing my screwups once I hauled it back
> to the shop than the original repair required due to adverse
> working conditions.

Interesting. So I'm curious ... does anyone have any other negative (or positive) first-hand experiende with on-site service work?

Hook

 

[Bird]

Hook, on site service is quite common around here on the larger farm equipment; sometimes successful; sometimes not. A lot depends on what service is needed, what kind of service truck the mechanic has; some carry a lot more equipment than others, but obviously cannot carry everything. Flat repair, oil & filter changes, etc. are pretty easy. A lot of other things get repaired on site, too, but a second trip is sometimes necessary to get the right tools and parts. With a compact tractor, I would expect them to be able to do the simple things, adjustments and such, on site, but to take the tractor to the shop for other things. After all, it doesn't take an 18-wheeler to haul one like some of these big tractors require.

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

In your power comparison, you say you are going to mostly mow and remove snow. If that is really the use for your tractor then the Kubota 2910 will probably outmow the Deere 4200, but the Deere will do much better in the snow because it is heavier. I have plowed through 12-16 inches of snow with my 4200 w/o chains and had no trouble at all pushing it around. Also when you decide to expand your uses as every tractor enthusiast eventually does then the heavier Deere will provide better traction for ground engaging implements. The tractor types you are looking will do an amazing amount of work beside grass and snow. I personally would never buy anything except a Deere, but, I recommend to anyone else to buy the color you like because they are all great machines each with their respective advantages. The green, orange, or blue ones anyway. imho, traction is almost always more important than power.

 

[TimSullivan]

I went throught the same exercise a few months ago and decided on the B2910. I am a city boy married to a farmer's daughter and she checked out the B2910 and the 4200 on decision day and we bought a 4300. She has had problems with her right ankle and the B2910 was very difficult for her to run. They are both good machines but go with the one that is the most comfortable. We both are very happy with the 4300 and it is easy to run for both of us.

 

[Hook]

Poster: TimSullivan
Subject: Re: 2nd Impressions: Kubota B2910 vs. JD 4200

> I went throught the same exercise a few months ago
> and decided on the B2910. I am a city boy married to a
> farmer's daughter

Are you a travelling salesman ?

> and she checked out the B2910 and the 4200 on decision
> day and we bought a 4300.

What made you take the step up to the 4300?

> She has had problems with her right ankle and the B2910
> was very difficult for her to run. They are both good
> machines but go with the one that is the most comfortable.
> We both are very happy with the 4300 and it is easy to run
> for both of us.

Hook

 

[glennmac]

If you like the Deere 4200 better than the 2910, get the Deere. But consider getting the 4300 instead. I think the 4200 is underpowered for its size and weight. This may be one reason Deere is increasing its hp by 2 in the new series. The 4300 will have more power and weight than the 2910 and will have the Deere ergonomics that you apparently like. The 2910 is, however, in my opinion, a better lawn mower than either Deere machine because it is lighter, more maneuverable, and its 72" deck is much easier to remove and install. Tradeoffs.

 

[Hook]

Poster: glennmac
Subject: Re: 2nd Impressions: Kubota B2910 vs. JD 4200

> If you like the Deere 4200 better than the 2910, get the
> Deere. But consider getting the 4300 instead. I think the
> 4200 is underpowered for its size and weight. This may be
> one reason Deere is increasing its hp by 2 in the new series.
> The 4300 will have more power and weight than the 2910
> and will have the Deere ergonomics that you apparently
> like.

I've thought about this, but that would mean going up another $1,500. Now if I could find a dealer motivated to move a 4300 & I could strike a great deal, I just dight do this.

Sigh ... I started all of this thinking I would buy a BX2200!

> The 2910 is, however, in my opinion, a better lawn mower
> than either Deere machine because it is lighter, more
> maneuverable, and its 72" deck is much easier to remove
> and install. Tradeoffs.

Hmmm ... well mowing & lawn maintenance (e.g., aeration) is the most important thing I'll be doing with the tractor. But, it's not the only thing. I have a 1,500 foot driveway to plow. And with 15 acres (grass, pasture, woods), I expect I will find lots more to do with any tractor.

I'm still sitting on the fence, though leaning towards the 4200. You didn't make it any easier

Hook

 

[glennmac]

Hook, I have 11 acres. I finish mow 3 and brush cut about 3 or 4. Mowing and cutting is what I do and will continue to do most. I have a 2910. It has done everthing I have asked. But I would like a somewhat larger tractor, and one with an easy to remove backhoe.

To me, the 4300 (actually 4400) is the tractor I would buy now if I had it to do all over again--except for five things. I, like many people who have selected Kubotas over JDs, think that (1) the Kubota hydro is smoother and better, (2) the Kubota pedals are easier to press and less jerky, (3) the Kubota control layout is better, (4) the Kubota engine is quieter and smoother, and (5) the Kubotas have been much more problem free and reliable than the JD 4000 series.These things would, and do, deter me from buying a JD. But that's just my opinion, much of which is subjective.

If, however, those things werent negatives to me--or were even positives, as they seem to be to you--I would buy the 43/4400 over the 2910 because I like the size and the attachment designs better. I wouldnt consider the 4200.

You cannot expect the Kubota and JD to be the same price; they are different products. I think JDs are more expensive in most parts of the country. I wouldnt let $1500 stop me from getting the 4300. You have to think of a tractor and implements as being in the nature of a vehicle purchase, pricewise--$15000 to $30000 for decent one. But unlike, and better, than a car, a tractor can literally last you the rest of you life, and still have a decent residual value. Think of that $1500 as being prorated over that time frame. It's worth it for the extra engine and hydraulic power of the 4300, and you'll be able to attach larger backhoes and pull larger implements on your acreage.

If you go the 3ph mower route instead of belly mower, which is another key decision you have to make, the maneuverability among 27-45 hp tractors is almost irrelevant.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

JD4200 Shoe-in Pricing/Specs
JD4300 Shoe-in Pricing/Specs

Go to the dealer’s 20 miles away… on their lot… looking to buy a “4310”… “Oh, you only have the 4300… ‘the old model’… not really interested… how much did you say for a ‘closeout’?” /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[glennmac]

Cool animation, John. But don't animate the wheels on your signature tractor. I just noticed that it seems to have the infamous turf-ripper axle. With that axle, and the sharp turn of those R1-ed front wheels, one can see your name already beginning to shred.

 

[kerr]

TEAM GREEN-those that are,those that wana be.

 

[glennmac]

Kerr, just the guy Hook needs to talk to. Havent you said that you would have bought the 4300 over the 4200 if you had it to do over.

By the way, Hook, my first tractor for my 11 acres was a BX2200. Within a week I knew I had bought too small, and I traded it in after 30 hours for my 2910, which I now think is a little small.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Glenn... as long as you don't tell me my name is 'mud'... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

My Carraro FWD axle better still be on my unit or I'll get stuck... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[kerr]

Yes,a little more power would be good sometimes. but i think we all end up wishin we had a instant horsepower button on the dash.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...wishin we had a instant horsepower button on the dash...</font color=blue>

The new 4310 electronic version has that button...! /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

 

[glennmac]

Yeah, it's a cell phone auto-dial feature that calls the Kubota dealer.